No one would debate the value of software quality assurance (QA). It’s an essential part of the software development lifecycle aimed at ensuring products are fit for purpose and perform as expected.
Despite its importance and the decades of QA experience behind us as an industry, software QA can still pose significant challenges for organizations attempting to execute it effectively. From crafting complex test environments to shifting documentation to coping with tight deadlines and talent shortages, software QA professionals are often behind the eight ball before testing even begins.
It’s crucial that organizations think creatively and use recent innovations to address the challenges head-on and to ensure their software is released on time and on specification.
Here are some of the recent trends the TestMonitor team is seeing shape the future of software QA, helping you effectively overcome the challenges of today.
Regardless of whether the software is a simple mobile application or a complex enterprise system, a few quality assurance challenges are common across the software development industry.
Some of the most acute challenges that QA professionals face today include:
Let’s dig into details when it comes to six innovations in the software space that are empowering QA teams to perform better, faster, and more efficiently.
Using AI and machine learning (ML) can significantly improve test coverage. When AI and ML learn the code base and generate automated tests, it reduces the time and effort required for manual testing. Additionally, AI can help quickly detect and diagnose errors, improving the overall quality of the software product.
Automated testing has several advantages, including reducing costs and manual errors while improving testing speed, reliability, and consistency. Automating testing can also mitigate the skilled technology worker shortage, allowing organizations to increase testing capabilities and improve the quality of their software products.
Cloud-based testing provides several benefits, including virtual access to applications or systems, which allows for more agile testing with faster feedback cycles and testing multiple versions at the same time. In addition, it provides testers with the flexibility to test from any location and device, making it an ideal solution for remote teams.
The mobile app market is rapidly growing, so it’s crucial for developers to test functionality, usability, and performance across multiple devices and operating systems. Both manual and automated testing processes can be used to ensure that the app works seamlessly across all platforms, improving user experience and reducing the likelihood of negative reviews.
With cyberattacks on the rise, security testing has become essential for organizations to identify and resolve vulnerabilities before deployment. By implementing robust security testing measures, businesses can safeguard their software products and protect their customers' data from potential breaches.
Exploratory testing involves actively exploring the software product to identify and uncover any defects or issues that may not be apparent through other testing methods. By combining exploratory testing with other testing approaches, businesses can improve the overall quality of their software products, leading to better user experience and customer satisfaction.
Just as the expectations for software quality, delivery timeframes, and performance are constantly evolving, so are the tools that software QA professionals can use to address the various challenges that they confront on every engagement. From AI and ML to automated testing, cloud-based testing, and innovations in mobile app testing, organizations can shape the future of their software QA and enable improved user experiences, customer satisfaction, and increased revenue.
Want to learn more about how your organization can take its software QA to the next level? Then make sure to check out TestMonitor’s comprehensive resource, QA Testing: A Helpful Guide for Software QA Professionals.